Halloween-Themed Practice Drills for Youth Teams

With Halloween just around the corner, youth sports teams can bring a little spooky fun to their practice sessions by incorporating Halloween-themed drills. Not only does it get players excited about practicing, but it also breaks up the routine and adds some much-needed energy as the season wears on. Here are a few ideas to make practices more spirited—plus, we’ll show you how to equip your team with the best gear to bring those drills to life, with everything from Pennywise-themed football gear to colorful socks!

1. Ghosts vs. Goblins: Scrimmage with a Twist

Take a typical scrimmage and divide the team into two Halloween-themed groups: Ghosts and Goblins. Use colored scrimmage vests (we sell a variety of colors at Lifestyles Sports) to keep the teams easily identifiable. Add a rule that one player on each team (designated as the “ghost” or “goblin”) can’t be touched during play—this player has to avoid everyone to score points, adding a fun element of strategy.

Gear tip: Don’t forget that Lifestyles Sports has a variety of scrimmage vests, cones, and scoreboards to help organize your Halloween scrimmage.

2. Pumpkin Patch Relay

Set up a relay race using small pumpkins or orange cones to represent pumpkins. Players can dribble a soccer ball, football, or basketball through a pumpkin patch (aka your orange cones) while dodging spooky obstacles or teammates pretending to be monsters.

Gear tip: Our bright orange cones make perfect "pumpkins" for drills, and they’re a great way to keep your practice festive. You can also get Pennywise-themed mouth guards and backplates for your football players to really amp up the spooky factor.

3. Haunted Goal Shooting

For soccer or hockey teams, create a “haunted goal” drill. Have a coach or volunteer dress up as a ghost or another spooky character and act as the goalkeeper. Players have to score on the "haunted" goal while the goalie spooks them with slow, creepy movements. It’s a fun way to practice shooting accuracy under pressure.

Gear tip: For a fully themed practice, check out our variety of socks and pre-wrap, which come in colors to match any costume or team theme. Whether you're going for neon or classic Halloween colors, we've got the accessories to complete your look!

4. Witch’s Hat Toss

For younger teams, this drill is all about accuracy. Set up cones in the shape of a witch’s hat and have players aim to toss balls or beanbags into designated targets (like the top of the "hat"). The smaller the target, the harder it gets. This drill helps with hand-eye coordination and precision.

5. Spooky Sprint Races

End practice with a fun sprint race where players have to carry Halloween-themed items, like a football with a skeleton hand painted on it or a small pumpkin. You could even give prizes for the best costume or fastest runner. For older teams, you can turn this into a relay where each team member has to complete a challenge (like dribbling through cones or scoring a goal) before passing off to the next runner.

Final Thoughts

Adding Halloween-themed drills to practice can make the experience more fun and engaging for youth teams. Whether it’s running through a “pumpkin patch” of cones, playing a spooky scrimmage, or donning creepy costumes, the possibilities are endless. As you gear up for these festive practices, stop by Lifestyles Sports! We’ve got everything you need for Halloween fun, from bright orange cones and spooky scoreboards to themed mouth guards and socks to keep your team in the spirit.

Check out our TikTok to see how we made creative Halloween-themed ideas!

Ready to bring the Halloween fun to practice? Come by our store for all the gear you need to make it happen!